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5/24/2013 10:28 AM  #1


Questions regarding 9" rear / disc brake install

I've previously posted about my woes with the disc brake setup installed by the previous owner.  I've purchased a new kit and have some questions that I hope you guys can answer.

(1)  The instructions provided with the new kit assume that you are moving from drum brakes to disc brakes.  The kit I have currently uses an integral bearing retainer and caliper mounting bracket.  The new kit uses what appears to be a stock or standard axle retainer.


Do axle retainers differ or can I just go into Autozone and ask for an axle retainer for a 58-60 full size Ford?

(2) Am I missing a seal in the rear?  After I pulled the axle out only the bare housing was left.  I was under the impression that a seal was supposed to be installed in the housing.  There was a decent amount of RTV on the mounting bracket / axle retainer which may have stopped anything from leaking; I hadn't noticed any drips.



(3) Each axle has two bearings on it.  On the passenger side axle, the larger bearings's P/N is 88128-2RS and the smaller bearing's P/N is R88128.  On the driver side axle, the larger bearings's P/N is 88128 and I don't see a P/N on the smaller bearing.  My question here is are bearings directional?  I'm not sure if I need to order one with P/N 88128 and one with 88128-2RS or if they're the same bearing.

 

Just for your reference, the rear is a non-Torino style big bearing 9 inch with 28 spline axles; the car is a '65 Mustang.  Any help or advice is greatly appreciated.

Last edited by Steven M (5/24/2013 12:18 PM)

 

5/24/2013 10:47 AM  #2


Re: Questions regarding 9" rear / disc brake install

TWO bearings per axle?  Where is the second one?  You have some serious damage to the bearing bore in that rear end.  That will have to be cleaned up prior to installing anything.

I doubt any auto parts place is going to have a retainer.


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

5/24/2013 6:52 PM  #3


Re: Questions regarding 9" rear / disc brake install

Sorry, one bearing.  I initially mistook the metal spacer / ring (on top of the bearing in the last picture) for a second bearing.  I'm not 100% sure as to what function this serves as it appears to be fixed on the axle and is more than likely responsible for the damage caused.

I didn't pick up on the damage until you said something and I looked further.  Assuming this would require somebody to weld on new ends, it may just be cheaper to replace to housing.  I need new bearings and retainers anyway; I may be able to get out for ~$400 going a route like this:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/220965697289

Does that sound like a good choice?

 

     Thread Starter
 

5/24/2013 7:10 PM  #4


Re: Questions regarding 9" rear / disc brake install

Just take a small deburr bit and stick it in there and grind off the damaged area so the bearing can fit in there.  It will work perfetly well and you sure don't need to spend $400. 
That extra ring next to the bearing is a pressed on bearing retainer.  It MUST be there to keep the bearing from sliding on the axle.

If you need a bearing retainer, Currie or Strange can probably supply one for you.  You have the 3.150" large bearing with 1/2" attaching bolts.  Any Ford truck 9" would have a set, but you have to pull the bearings off the axles to get to them.

My COBRA and GT rear brackets have the integral bearing retainer made into them, alot simpler setup than it appears you have in those instructions.

Last edited by MustangSteve (5/24/2013 7:15 PM)


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

5/24/2013 8:10 PM  #5


Re: Questions regarding 9" rear / disc brake install

Unless you were in the process of removing the bearing, just prior to taking your axle photo, your axle bearing had serious problems --like the axle was getting ready to slide out of the housing!

The bearing should be all the way down against the shoulder of the axle bearing journal, --down close to the caliper anchor plate.

Notice position of axle bearing in your photo:




Notice position of axle bearing on my Versailles axle:





 

 

5/24/2013 9:04 PM  #6


Re: Questions regarding 9" rear / disc brake install

Nice catch, ultrastang.  That reminded me to say you can NEVER reuse the same bearing and retainer once it has been removed.  Always install a new bearing.


Money you enjoy wasting is NOT wasted money... unless your wife finds out.
 

5/24/2013 9:26 PM  #7


Re: Questions regarding 9" rear / disc brake install

MustangSteve, I appreciate the advice.  I previously assumed that the bearing was retained on the inner side by the first step in the housing and on the outer side by the axle retainer.  I can clean the housing up but the area between the flange and the first inner step appears to be in good shape, which would be what the bearing would ride on.  Further inside appears to be worn or machined somewhat unevenly, but after looking at the bearing and the retainer I don't think any contact is being made here.  There is a good bit of junk and RTV that may appear to be something else (damage) in the picture.  I may just be confused (or confusing everybody else); I'll clean everything up and try to take a better picture tomorrow. 

I have Rod & Customs rear suspension and bought their rear brake kit to avoid a couple of interference issues (brake hose and e-brake lever) the current calipers have.  Even if it's not the most elegant kit, they guarantee fitment.  I do plan on buying your Mustang II / 13" Cobra brake brackets for the front, however. 

Ultrastang, you're correct that I was only able to partially press the old bearing and retainer off.  I have a cheap press (Harbor Freight 12 ton) and it's not made for something this long.  I started but backed off because I was worried about damaging the axle.  I'll need to find a machine shop in town to handle it for me.  I'd like to buy an appropriate press to replace my existing one, but I'm not sure how much use it would get and I won't have the room until I get rid of my other car.

Last edited by Steven M (5/24/2013 9:46 PM)

     Thread Starter
 

5/24/2013 9:50 PM  #8


Re: Questions regarding 9" rear / disc brake install

You should use a good press to set those bearings and retainers. Put the axle (minus the bearing and retainer) into a freezer and the retainer into an oven.

From your picture you are also missing a gasket that goes in between that large caliper plate and the rest of the axle.

I just did all of this a couple months ago.
Fel-Pro 55036 Backing Plate Gasket is the part I see missing.
National Bearings 88128RA Wheel Bearing is the bearing and retainer as a set.
There is one more inner seal that if you need that part number I will have to go out to the shop and get once the rain stops.

 

5/25/2013 7:35 AM  #9


Re: Questions regarding 9" rear / disc brake install

I bought this 20-ton press back in the mid-90's for about $250.00 ($250.00 was worth more then).

12-ton HF presses won't cut it for pressing axle bearings off. At the time I bought my press, I didn't think it would get much use but I was wrong.  I've pressed axle bearings with it. I've bent (fabricated) brackets with it, straightened bent pieces out and pressed drive shaft U-joints in/out with it, to name a few. Once you finally have a particular tool, you'll find you have a lot more uses for it simply because it's at your disposal.

 

6/10/2013 2:48 PM  #10


Re: Questions regarding 9" rear / disc brake install

Sorry guys, been on a cruise with the wife and in-laws.  Between that and the tropical storm that just so happened to be in the gulf at the same time, don't ask.     The good news is that my coupe finally sold to a member of the Baton Rouge Mustang Club; I hope they're able to get it back on the road.

Mochaman:  Thanks for the part numbers.  I was able to get the wheel bearings and axle flange seals.  For the inner seals, I was going to purchase these:  

http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/detail/BCA0/51098.oap

Do you have a different part number or recommend a different brand?


MustangSteve:  I'll try to upload some pictures of the housing all cleaned up to make sure that you think I'm good to go.  I always appreciate your $.02.  What are your thoughts on bearing retainers?  Most seem to offer a non-continuous plate:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/qti-rm-404

Those made me a little nervous so I was looking at these instead:

http://www.cjponyparts.com/rear-axle-bearing-retainer-plate-9/p/RWBR2/

I'm not sure if it's necessary but it seems like it would provide a better seal if nothing else.


UltraStang:  Nice press!  I've been on the lookout for a better press since I bought the Harbor Freight one 10 years ago.  It's worked well enough for small things like control arm bushings and ball joints, but it's lacking for this job.  The working area just isn't big enough and it's not particularly stable to begin with.  Every time a nicer one comes around I'm either too late or they want too much, but the hunt continues...

Last edited by Steven M (6/10/2013 3:15 PM)

     Thread Starter
 

7/06/2013 5:07 PM  #11


Re: Questions regarding 9" rear / disc brake install

It's been a frustrating weekend on this project.  I got back on Tuesday and waiting for me was a new rear brake kit from Rod & Custom (who manufactered my rear suspension), bearings, seals, and gaskets.  I was able to have a machine shop press everything off / onto the axles on Friday, in hopes of getting the brakes on and the car moving this weekend.  Everything went together well until I tried to bolt the first caliper on.  It's about 1/16th of a inch too far away from the rotor for the outside pad to fit.  The piston is completely retracted so I've either got the wrong parts or I missed something else during installation.




I'm going to email their support team, who has been helpful and responsive thus far.  I may just need to go with a slightly thicker bearing retainer (or other sort of spacer) to move the caliper closer to the rotor.  I used a Jegs bearing retainer which is 3/16th of an inch thick.  I'm not sure if this is thinner than others on the market, but most that I've looked up don't list that dimension.

     Thread Starter
 

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